Remember a little bit back when we launched that Racin and Pacin program thanks to Emily Bryson? Maybe you participated, maybe you didn’t but the gist of it was this. A bunch of people ( maybe 5, maybe 2,maybe more or less) got together and helped each other train for an upcoming race. Some of the groups have stayed together for months, helping each other PR and crush Boston qualifying times. Other groups forgot about each other two days later and are now feeling guilty about it. Regardless, two November Project Baltimore runners and all around awesome people have been pacing each other for months despite being separated by many countries and oceans. Here’s a guest blog from Rachel and Jenny, a pretty damn awesome Racin and Pacin success story!
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Miles Apart: Still Racin; and Pacin’
By Rachel Gang and Jenny Brooks
(RG) Hello again, NP BAL! You may remember my recent departure. It’s this time of year that makes me miss Baltimore a bit more than usual, yet I’m happy to let you know that I’ve settled into things over in Israel in my new home in Mitzpe Ramon, Israel. Today I bring you some words together with my racin’ and pacin’ buddy, Jenny Brooks. First some kuddos to Bryson (and her trio counterparts– Nick and Kay) for getting this going and creating the inspiration for what is now a virtual training buddy for Jenny and me.
(JB) Big thanks to Bryson for connecting Rachel and I. It’s been great to have a continued connection with the NP_BAL tribe and get to know Rachel more as we both go through huge life changes. I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in June and just settled into a new place a couple weeks ago. It has been great to have both running as a consistent goal and Rachel as a running buddy over the last few weeks.
(JB) Rachel and I check in at least once a week. We talk about where we are in the world and how runs have been going. We’ve both been all over the world the last few months.
(RG) To me, I’m less focused on the times or pace that I might be going and more about the challenge of lacing up my shoes and just getting out to run.
My upcoming race represents a hosts of firsts–first 10k, first race in the desert, first race in Israel, and my longest race to date. Checking in with Jenny is a constant and makes lacing up my sneakers and hitting the pavement or dusty roads and loose gravel, which I’ve come to find out is the case where I am in Mitzpe Ramon in the middle of the Negev desert. I’ve moved 5 times in the past 4 months and travelled across terrains, countries, and cities, from sea to mountain to desert–which makes a training plan far from easy. Knowing that there’s accountability (even if it’s four time zones and thousands of miles away) is a huge help in keeping me going. As you may have heard me mention, even with running in my genes and being from a family of athletes and devote workout-ers running doesn’t come easily for me. I’m still convinced that running iis the hardest free sport around.
(JB) For me, it has been great to have someone to connect with regularly about running and training. Moving and transitioning to a new place is a long, exhausting challenge. It has been great to get to know Rachel better, too!
(RG) I second Jenny’s sentiment. Moving across the country, within a city, or better yet across the world is a never-ending challenge adjustment. Being in touch with Jenny has allowed me to stay motivated and keep on track with running. As an avid yoga practicer and swimmer it’s easy for me to find ways around running, but being in touch with Jenny is always a friendly and encouraging reminder to stay the course till my 10k.
So what’s next?
Jenny:
In November, I will run a virtual 10k “with” Rachel. I am really looking forward to completing this together from halfway around the world.
Rachel:
I miss Wednesday and Friday mornings, even the hills, burpees, squats, hoistees, yet most of all the sweaty hugs. For now, I’m staying the course and still braving the sweltering desert temps which linger well into the evenings. I’ve added swimming into my cross training as a nice refresher on days that I have evening meetings or late days at school. I’ve signed up for a 10k on November 17th as part of the Eilat Desert Marathon Festival. It’s certainly far from the spirit filled Baltimore Running festival, yet I’m super excited to be running through the desert in Israel’s southernmost tip. I’m looking forward to the views of the Red Sea and Jordan along the way. I’m dreaming and drafting up a plan to get that #freefitness and #NP thing going over here in Mitzpe and am slowly finding out Israeli’s aren’t really morning people. Hopefully a few sweaty hugs will change that soon! While Baltimore will always be home, I’m still sporting my grassroots gear all along the way.
Keep on racin and pacin, Baltimore!
Cheers and hugs,
Rachel & Jenn
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Proud of you gals! Keep up the nice work 🙂